lanchester



F. W. LANCHESTER,

PIANO ACTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- I. I913.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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WIT/\ESSES F. W. LANCHESTER.

PIANO ACTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. s. 1913.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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PIANO ACTION.

APPLICATQON FILED MAR I. 1913.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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FREDERICK WILLIAM LANCHES'IEB, OF EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

PIANO-ACTION.

Application filed March 1, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK VILLIAM LANCI-IESTER, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at 53 Hagley road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the county of Varwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Actions, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in the actions of pianofortes and like instruments, and refers more particularly to improvements in the means for imparting motion to the hammer, and in the escapement of check mechanism, insuring that the hammer immediately falls back from the string after the blow has been delivered, to a position in which it can be again actu ated by the key, without the full return of the latter to its original position.

In pianoforte actions as heretofore constructed, it is customary to impart the necessary motion to the hammer by means of a jack, which is mechanically tripped at the instant or just before the instant of impact, so as to be removed from the path of the hammer on the rebound of the latter from the string. In the modern action diverse means are employed in order to temporarily suspend the return of the hammer to permit of the quick reengagement of the jack in order to give a rapid repeat.

The object of the present invention is to provide a construction in which all the useful results formerly aimed at are obtained, and in which the mechanism is simplified and rendered more durable and robust.

The present invention consists in improved means for allowing space through which the hammer can rebound, comprising a member moving with the hammer during the first part of the stroke of said hammer but continuing its movement by reason of its momentum when the hammer is stopped by impact with the string and so moving the surface which checks the rebound to such a position that the free travel of the hammer necessary to allow rebound from the spring is secured.

The invention also consists in the improved action mechanism for pianofortes and like instruments hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the application of the invention to a grand piano, one side plate a of the ham- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Serial No. 751,537.

mer being removed; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the application to an upright piano; Fig. 3 is a side view; and Fig. l an end view of the hammer shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing a modified method of attaching the bear ing stud to the hammer. Fig. 10 shows mechanism similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the parts being in the position they occupy before the key is struck. Fig. 11 is a similar view at the moment of striking the string. Fig. 12 shows the positions of the parts immediately after the rebound of the hammer. Fig. 13 shows the position of the parts with the key partially released and the hammer in position for a repeat. Fig. 14: is a vertical section taken just to the right of it looking to the left.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and l, the hammers a are fitted in the customary positions and articulated on a fixed rail. The underneath contour 0 of the butt of the hammer is made concave, of circular are form the center of the circle of which the are forms a part being indicated at i and in this circular recess there is arranged to articulate the butt (Z, also of segmental form, of a part c hereinafter called the inertia piece. The inertia piece has an extension 7 arranged to lie at short distance beneath the hammer shaft, and its relative motion is limited on the one hand by the pad 9 on the hammer shaft, and on the other by the pad it on the key Z. The end of the inertia piece is weighted by a small inserted piece of lead, as shown at 711. The keys are provided with two projecting studs, m, 02, one of which, m, is adapted to come in contact with a stud 0 on the hammer, while the other, it actuates the key through the stud 3) on the inertia piece 0. The stud or bearing protuberance g) is a short istance in the horizontal direction from the center of curvature of the upper segmental face of the butt (Z, so that the upward thrust of a force applied through the stud a will not act radially across the bearing surfaces between the butt and the segmental face of the hammer, but will act at an angle to the normal, which must be kept within the angle of friction.

It will be understood that when any given key is struck, the force acting directly on the butt (Z of the inertia piece is transmitted to the butt of the hammer across the articulation, the friction between. the surfaces of the segment and recess preventing any slipping from taking place, so that the hammer and inertia piece are set in motion together. lVhen the front end of the key is in its up per position, the motion is initiated by the stud m coming in contact with the bearing piece on the hammer, while after a slight movement of the key, the stud it comes in contact with the bearing piece 2), and continues the motion. ll'hen the impact of the hammer with the wire 1 takes place, the part (2 still continues to move owing to its own momentum, and by virtue of the eccentricity of the bearing stud 7), the onward motion results in a certain clearance being given between the bearing surfaces allowing the rebound of the hammer, as shown at Figs. 12 and 13.

lhe parts may be so proportioned and adjusted that either the distance of rebound depends on the strength of the blow, or an approximately constant rebound may be provided. The weight Z at the end of the inertia piece 0 tends to restore the relative positions of the inertia piece and the hammer when the key is released, and insure a quick repeat.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 2, as applied to an upright piano, the corresponding parts are denoted as in the form above described. In this case, the hammer a. is pivoted at 7), and is actuated through the inertia piece 0 by means of the tappets m, n, in a manner similar to that above described.

The leather pad o of the stud 0 may conveniently be attached as shown in Figs. to 9; a wedge shaped piece of hard wood t is fixed in grooves in the cheek pieces u, u", of the hammer and holds the leather pad '2) shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 firmly in position.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a piano a hammer, a key, a member disposed between said key and said hammer, said member having a surface adapted to check the rebound of said hammer and being adapted to continue its movement when the hammer strikes the string, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK WILLIAM IJANCHESTE t.

\Vitnesses Aonny T. Evans, Bnnrnnr H. MATTIIEws.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

